Coffee machine

[Alouette3]

Bezzera BZ99

Year later and finally got the time to get her running! Bought as a non runner in pieces! I'll eventually get the pile of parts that was once an Oscar and donor running too.

Bezzera HX steams like a dragon compared to my Gaggia classic. Need to relearn my technique, milk gets hot before a good foams has built up, even with 2 of the steam holes plugged.

[Meezo]

7 hours ago, Alouette3 said:

Bezzera BZ99

Year later and finally got the time to get her running! Bought as a non runner in pieces! I'll eventually get the pile of parts that was once an Oscar and donor running too.

Bezzera HX steams like a dragon compared to my Gaggia classic. Need to relearn my technique, milk gets hot before a good foams has built up, even with 2 of the steam holes plugged.

Nice, congrats 

 

Try, to back off on steam on the dial so go ¾ also don't let as much air(if any) in as you would with the gaggia before. You'll find the "riding the wave" will bring enough air to ensure you still get the perfect microfoam 

[michaelbiker]

Gave away my Delonghi bean-to-cup. I drive home now to have coffee after a ride instead of stopping on the way!

[splat]

I just stumbled on this guy.
Some serious machines !
(not sure if they have been mentioned here already)

https://henlo.coffee/#home

 

[Chadvdw67]

Some advice is needed....

 

I sold my Breville Barista last year, it made pretty decent coffee in my opinion, at least better than most coffee shops at least, anyway, I am now really regretting selling it, and looking to get another machine + grinder, but would like to get something a nit nicer, could you guys through out some suggestions for a decent machine + grinder combo? Around the R20k mark, I know it is not a lot, but that is what I can "afford" 

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[splat]

26 minutes ago, Chadvdw67 said:

Some advice is needed....

 

I sold my Breville Barista last year, it made pretty decent coffee in my opinion, at least better than most coffee shops at least, anyway, I am now really regretting selling it, and looking to get another machine + grinder, but would like to get something a nit nicer, could you guys through out some suggestions for a decent machine + grinder combo? Around the R20k mark, I know it is not a lot, but that is what I can "afford" 

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Rancilio Silvia + Rocky Combo

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/rancilio-silvia-espresso-machine

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/rancilio-rocky-espresso-grinder

Or
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro + MDF55 combo

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-home-espresso-machine#bundler-target-element

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/gaggia-mdf55-espresso-grinder?variant=41480831959174

 

[Chadvdw67]

Been looking at this for a little while, seems to be pretty good value, anyone have any knowledge/experience with it?

https://onlinecoffeeshop.co.za/shop/espresso-coffee-machines/espresso-coffee-machines-commercial-espresso-coffee-machine-1-group/prosumer-espresso-coffee-machines/cortex-pulse-v2-dual-heat-pid-with-df54-grinder/

[Alouette3]

2 hours ago, splat said:

Rancilio Silvia + Rocky Combo

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/rancilio-silvia-espresso-machine

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/rancilio-rocky-espresso-grinder

Or
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro + MDF55 combo

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-home-espresso-machine#bundler-target-element

https://capecoffeebeans.co.za/collections/domestic-espresso-equipment/products/gaggia-mdf55-espresso-grinder?variant=41480831959174

 

Or go for the Gaggia with a Rocky grinder.

Fair number of similar combos on the second hand market

[Alouette3]

1 hour ago, Chadvdw67 said:

Been looking at this for a little while, seems to be pretty good value, anyone have any knowledge/experience with it?

https://onlinecoffeeshop.co.za/shop/espresso-coffee-machines/espresso-coffee-machines-commercial-espresso-coffee-machine-1-group/prosumer-espresso-coffee-machines/cortex-pulse-v2-dual-heat-pid-with-df54-grinder/

Some solid features there for a home machine. PID and pressure gauge as standard, both feature would go well on a Silvia or Gaggia. Larger boiler too is good as well as a thermoblock for steam, which is where the Gaggia could perform better.

Looks solid. Give it a go and let us know....

[Chadvdw67]

On 3/14/2025 at 9:24 AM, Alouette3 said:

Some solid features there for a home machine. PID and pressure gauge as standard, both feature would go well on a Silvia or Gaggia. Larger boiler too is good as well as a thermoblock for steam, which is where the Gaggia could perform better.

Looks solid. Give it a go and let us know....

So almost a year later, I FINALLY got one, I saw onlinecoffeeshop.co.za had/s a special on this machine with a free grinder, so R14k for an espresso machine with a grinder, the reviews I could find were all very positive, especially considering the price, I have not got the grinder dialed in yet, but so far both machines are nice to use, waiting for some fresh beans to come in and I want to get a decent tamp, but so far so good. Will report back once I get more acquainted with using them

Edited February 24 by Chadvdw67

[Mudsimus]

Small upgrade from my Lelit. I love that the La Pavoni is a a little more interactive,  definitely not a beginner friendly machine.

Dropped OPV to 8.5 and replaced the pressure guage with a grouphead thermometer. Find it much more accurate than a PID.

Very long heat up time, but nothing a smart plug couldn't fix.

[Gerlach]

30 minutes ago, Mudsimus said:

Small upgrade from my Lelit. I love that the La Pavoni is a a little more interactive,  definitely not a beginner friendly machine.

Dropped OPV to 8.5 and replaced the pressure guage with a grouphead thermometer. Find it much more accurate than a PID.

Very long heat up time, but nothing a smart plug couldn't fix.

One word "Bliksom"!!!! One sexy machine you got there.  

[MphatiPyga]

Quote

On 2/24/2026 at 5:08 PM, Chadvdw67 said:

So almost a year later, I FINALLY got one, I saw onlinecoffeeshop.co.za had/s a special on this machine with a free grinder, so R14k for an espresso machine with a grinder, the reviews I could find were all very positive, especially considering the price, I have not got the grinder dialed in yet, but so far both machines are nice to use, waiting for some fresh beans to come in and I want to get a decent tamp, but so far so good. Will report back once I get more acquainted with using them

 

Keen to hear how that machine is treating you, the adverts have been very tempting. 

[Chadvdw67]

8 minutes ago, MphatiPyga said:

Keen to hear how that machine is treating you, the adverts have been very tempting. 

Hey, it has been a massive upgrade over my old Breville, much more consistent, the grinder did take some fiddling with because the grind wasnt fine enough even on the finest setting out the box, but I pulled it apart and set the burrs closer together, and while I was at it I shimmed them to run straighter, and since then, it has been great, it is a little noisy, but not too bad, and it does take a fairly ling time grinding pre dosed grinds, around 40 seconds, I am sure if I just filled the hopper and used the timer it would be way quicker, but I like being pedantic and weighing out my beans for every cup....

[MphatiPyga]

how does the steam time compare to the Breville? Is there a delay between doing the espresso and being able steam? I currently have a Breville, great machine but the steam wand takes forever, I am a bit spoilt as I have Wegas at work.

[Kom]

5 hours ago, MphatiPyga said:

how does the steam time compare to the Breville? Is there a delay between doing the espresso and being able steam? I currently have a Breville, great machine but the steam wand takes forever, I am a bit spoilt as I have Wegas at work.

i can probably turn my breville on and make 5 pro flat whites in the time the E61 type machines (Rocket/lelit etc) have needed just to heat up ...

are you turning the steam on straight after pulling a shot?